FordFreestar2006Overview/ford/freestar/2006/base/

2006 Ford Freestar

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Freestar.

Body VAN

The 2006 Ford Freestar is a midsize passenger van that rides on the same platform used throughout the 20042007 generation and is equipped with a power‑train that requires 5.0 qt of 5W‑20 API‑rated oil. While the model’s overall owner‑complaint count stands at 356, the most frequent issues fall within the power‑train category and the vehicle was subject to four recalls during its production run. Compared with its siblings, 2006 sits toward the more reliable end of the series, following the peak complaint year of 2004 (1,227 reports) and preceding the low‑complaint 2007 model year, which recorded only 64 complaints. This positioning suggests that the 2006 Freestar offers a comparatively steadier reliability record within the four‑year span.

Model year2007200620052004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size235-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length201.6 in
Overall width76.8 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase121.3 in
Curb weight4295 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts118 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts118 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub184 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub148 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.053-.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.052-.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityLess auxiliary A/C, 2.25. With auxiliary A/C, 3.31. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityLess auxiliary A/C, 10.00. With auxiliary A/C, 12.00. oz
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Pressure Test18-20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180-207 °F

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle136 ft-lbs / 75 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.141 in / 0.748 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.118 in / 0.724 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
114 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
229 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
336 ft. lbs.; Perform following 3 steps on each bolt; before moving to next bolt in sequence36 ft. lbs
1loosen 2-3 turns
2if long bolt30–37 ft. lbs
3turn 175-185 degrees; Proceed to next bolt in sequence175–185 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1all bolts15 ft. lbs
2all bolts30 ft. lbs
3all bolts37 ft. lbs
1loosen 2-3 turn
2if long bolt33 ft. lbs
3180 degrees; Proceed to next bolt in sequence180 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 Ford Freestar sits in the middle of a clear downward trend in reported issues across this generation, with complaints falling sharply from 1,227 in 2004 to 356 in 2006, and recalls dropping from six to four over the same period. This suggests that many early problems were addressed, though the 2006 model still accumulated a notable number of complaints, overwhelmingly concentrated in the power train category (214 complaints, plus an additional 9 specifically tied to the engine). The data also records 3 crash-related and 4 fire-related complaints for the 2006 model year, but the federal record does not specify root causes for any of these incidents. While the 2006 Freestar represents a significant improvement over the troubled 2004 launch year, the persistent power train complaints and the even cleaner record of the 2007 model (just 64 complaints and 2 recalls) indicate that it is not the most reliable choice in the generation. A buyer should weigh the lower price of a 2006 against the potential for power train issues, and if budget allows, a 2007 model would be a safer bet.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
15
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
356
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 356 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train214
Electrical System13
Seats10
Power Train,Engine9
Engine6
Seat Belts5
Air Bags5
Power Train,Unknown Or Other4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13V081000SeatsReported 07/03/2013

Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles manufactured from March 24, 2003, through November 7, 2006, equipped with a third row seat and originally sold in, or currently… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact Ford…

06V069000Structure:Body:Hatchback/LiftgateReported 09/03/2006

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE POWER LIFTGATE OPTION, THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES AFTER THE LIFTGATE IS POWERED OPEN. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER LIFTGATE MODULE TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE LIFTGATE COULD FALL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 15 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 460852016-09-21Engine And Engine CoolingThe Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing…
TSB1600692016-04-21SeatsSafety recall 13S01 - Corrosion on sheet metal that supports 3rd row seat latch strikeers…
16-00692016-04-21SeatsFor 2004-2007 Freestar or Monterey vehicles Safety Recall 13S01 has been issued for…
TSB-14-01662014-09-09SeatsFORD/MERCURY: SAFETY RECALL REGARDING SHEET METAL SUPPORT FOR FOLDING 3RD ROW SEAT LATCH…
06372006-02-24Engine And Engine CoolingCUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 06B37. CRANK POSITION SENSOR CONNECTOR INSPECTION. THE…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Freestar. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Freestar take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Freestar have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.